Regional Estates Manager

A leading UK law firm with a network of offices from the South Coast to Scotland, working together as one national team. An innovative practice and the first top 100 law firm to achieve “Gold Standard” Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm. The lack of barriers between departments, a real lack of hierarchy, zero tolerance for arrogance and pomposity makes Shoosmiths a fantastic place to work.

Estates Management is the integration of processes within an organisation to maintain and develop the agreed services which support and improve the effectiveness of its primary activities. This encompasses multi-disciplinary activities within the built environment and the management of their impact upon people and the workplace. Effective estates management, combining resources and activities, is vital to the success of any organisation. At a corporate level, it contributes to the delivery of strategic and operational objectives. On a day-to day level, effective estates management provides a safe and efficient working environment, which is essential to the performance of any business – whatever its size and scope.  Responsibilities of this team include property strategy, space management and communications infrastructure to building maintenance, administration and contract management.

The purpose of the role is to provide a proactive, strategic and efficient estates management service that meets the needs of the Partnership, its internal customers and clients, while ensuring full compliance with all legislative and nationwide policies and procedures within multi serviced office environments.

• Responsible for Estates Management Operations within Region including but not limited to -  front of house, reprographics, mailroom, catering, cleaning,  external couriers and all related office services.
• Must have experience in managing multi-site high quality FM Services in a corporate environment
• Ensure that all budgets are adhered to and all levels of expenditure are within set targets
• Ability to manage and liaise with Managing Agents in relation to serviced office operations
• Ability to manage staff remotely and provide appropriate support, training and succession planning
• Must have a good practical knowledge of M&E maintenance and repairs

• Manage and maintain effective Health and Safety statutory documentation on all sites and pay particular attention to statutory compliance across all facilities management services in buildings/services provided.  Including but not limited to; conducting risk assessments, office audits, and COSHH risk assessments and maintaining PPM schedule.

• Ensure that suitable H&S training is in place and adopt high standards in the compliance of completed work.  Lead by example in the development of a "safety culture" within the team, with internal clients and with all parts of the Estates Management Team.

• Organise all relevant health and safety training for the team and the office.  Train staff on health and safety / emergency procedures. Including but not limited to; new starter induction, manual handling, fire marshal and first aid training, DSE assessments and personal safety training.

• Must be able to influence people at all levels in the business and work collaboratively with colleagues and outsource partners
• Liaise and support all internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure projects are delivered in compliance with the firms’ guidelines and within cost target.
• Supervise and control external contractors in the delivery of facilities services (soft and hard) and the timely resolution of faults, to the required standard to occupied properties.
• Ensure safety, evacuation and disaster recovery plan procedures are in place and be flexible in working hours to support the business.
• Work with external contractors re HSE and centralised contractor management.
• To deputise for National Estates Manager and/or other Regional Estates Managers where required.

This information is not comprehensive and other responsibilities or duties may fall to this remit from time to time.

• Significant experience with customer services/partnering environment preferably in a professional environment
• Proven capabilities in developing support services to high quality standards
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal,  communication and people engagement skills
• Good Analytical skills
• Ability to work within a team, using own initiative and within a pressurised environment
• Excellent people management skills and ability to empower, motivate and to create a positive, inclusive team ethos
• Consultancy approach to service delivery
• Task focused as well as people centred
• Capable of translating strategic intent into immediate successful delivery
• IT literate Management Information systems, MS Word, Power Point and Excel
• Essential IOSH/NEBOSH qualification
• BIFM qualification desirable
• Educated to degree level desirable

Benefits package

Shoosmiths has an outstanding benefits package; we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm. These can include:

• A pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 5.5%
• Generous life assurance cover for peace of mind, up to 8 times salary
• Up to    23 paid working days holiday per annum with the option to buy up to 8 additional days. You can choose to 'flex' twice a year - January and July
• 'Happy Birthday!' - have a free day off to celebrate and a £50 voucher to spend! (We won't take it from your annual entitlement)
• Childcare vouchers which are not subject to tax or NI
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Staff introduction bonus scheme
• Corporate discounts on a wide variety of products and services
• Discounted conveyancing and legal advice, for instance for wills and family trusts

Shoosmiths is a committed Equal Opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity. This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.